Louis' on the Pacific - San Francisco

If you like three-egg spinach omelettes and first row seats for breathtaking vistas of Ocean Beach as much as I do, then the newly remodeled Louis' on Point Lobos Avenue in San Francisco is for you.

Service is remarkably friendly and speedy, and there is something about breakfast foods and babies that just goes well. I've been here several times with my SF family, and it has consistently been fresh (e.g. you will not find frozen spinach in my omelette!) and unusually relaxing for my companions.

Arrive on the early side (it opens at 6.00 AM), but if you get there before 9.00 AM you will likely avoid a wait. The only minor downsides are that it is too small an establishment for my Britax stroller and the bathroom has no changing table. But now that you know that, you can just plan ahead. There is a reason that this place has been in business for the last 75 years.

Leatherneck Steakhouse & Lounge - San Francisco

Thanks to Mike the Piano player, a rather quiet 5:30 PM Saturday night seating and a waiter who pretended to ignore my throwing bread rolls, a formal family dinner out at the Leatherneck Steakhouse went surprisingly well. 

As expected, there wasn't much my eight teeth could eat through on the steak menu yet I did nibble a bit on the creamy mac and cheese side. Although thanks to a vacation routine of grazing and Grandpa sneaking in chocolate eclairs, my routine of balanced mealtimes has fallen through the cracks, and "nibbling" has been all I've done for the last week.

By the time I started throwing peas and bread rolls, most of my dinner guests were finishing up their last bites of steak (all entrees include an iceberg wedge, so I should technically get credit for patiently dining for two courses). At that point, my aunt willingly scooped me up to walk a few laps around the bar where I ended up peaking over Mike the Piano player's shoulder. He even let me bang out a few notes. 

Leatherneck works if (a) you are looking for a more formal night out yet don't feel like a sitter, (b) want sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline and (c) seek a place that could shrug off a flying roll or two. Maybe the other kids dining weren't quite playing catch, but I did see a game of hide-and-go-seek happening under a neighboring table - behavior by other restaurant patrons which always puts my mom at ease. 

San Francisco's Fairmont for the holidays

Looking for a family-friendly activity on a wet and/or blistery San Francisco day? Check out the Fairmont Hotel's lobby chock full of over-the-top Christmas decor, Santa's workshop, a larger-than-life gingerbread house, train set and the occasional Snow Fairy decked out in wings and wand granting wishes for those having High Tea.

For the second year in a row, I came here with my family for lunch. A slightly calmer experience as a 3 month old than as a 15 month old, yet then again everything was. 

Small children definitely don't come to dine that often at the Laurel Court restaurant as evidenced by the leisurely arrival of the server and the high chair strap that allowed me to stand up, grab a spoon and do a three-sixty all while my mother took a sip of water. 

Dad took me to walk around the lobby to burn off steam while Mom and Grandma waited for the meal. That allowed me to work up an appetite - although my parents withheld recent requests for food for strictly that purpose. By the time the meal came, I went nose first into my bowl of peas. 

We had to ask for a bread basket which then came promptly and was stocked with baby-friendly breadsticks. Despite a snafu with the Heinz ketchup bottle top ending up in my mouth after I was allowed to play with it by my somewhat desperate mother, things started going smoothly.  My family enjoyed their entrees, and I tried to get as many peas on the floor as possible

Not much for me to eat off the menu, and there was no children's option, so Mom packed a grilled cheese and the peas. Especially parent-friendly were the Vietnamese spicy cilantro tofu sandwich, the French Onion soup for those needing to double their cheese intake for the week and the crab cakes. Dad suffered mild sticker shock when he realized they had washed their meals down with $5 Coca-Cola's, but then again it is the Fairmont.

In all honesty, with baby in tow you could still enjoy the sights, sounds and even some Fairmont fairy dust yet opt to expand baby's palette at a simpler joint in nearby Chinatown neighborhood.

Napolito on 9th and Irving, San Francisco

So long Joe's of Westlake... see you in 2015...?

Eating in

Sometimes, the best way to eat out with a baby, is to first have the baby eat in. 

Here's me filling up on one of my favorite "first foods" - toast fingers topped with vegetable puree. Ever since Mom introduced toast fingers, I really began experimenting with solids of all shapes and textures and learned to feed myself.

Baby-friendly party venue needed? Try Eatonville.

I've been to Eatonville on 14th and V Street, NW, for many occasions - happy hour, brunch and dinner. It's accommodating, and the classic southern fare always delicious. But what really sets this place apart is its infrastructure for large parties.

After my parents nearly divorced deciding where to throw my baptism party (I know, #firstworldproblems), Mom disliked Dad's promises to stake a patch of grass at Meridian Hill Park and unilaterally decided to book Eatonville.

Good thing she did since it rained that day.

The event planners she worked with are the same as Busboy and Poets' - professional, organized and willing to work with any budget.

We were able to throw a buffet lunch for 40 people, offer open bar and not sacrifice my college savings. Family and friends enjoyed Eatonville's signature shrimp and grits and country ham sandwiches on their hoop buttermilk biscuits. Vegetarians even had options with the mushroom and goat cheese spring rolls. And like every soul-inspired Eatonville meal, I highly recommend topping it off with Red Velvet cupcakes.

I was baptized when I was six months, and truth be told, I was only eating the fruit salad at the time. When I go now, as a one year old, I usually can finish my own entree. Not the healthiest of meals, but my favorites include their scrambled eggs and Grilled French Pork Chop with sweet potato mash.

Mom and Dad opt for the Southern Fried Chicken and BLGT (that stands for bacon, lettuce and green tomatoes) and usually start off with a salad - either the Apple Wood Smoked Tofu Salad or the Spinach and Roasted Cauliflower Salad - and a Bloody Mary.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.

Taylor's and U Street picnics

Picnics are another great way parents can feel like part of civilization, baby can get some fresh air and the family can spend quality time together. Today we packed the breast milk cooler with Miller Lites (as in only Miller Lites) and went to Taylor's Gourmet on 14th and T, NW, for foot long subs before we hoofed it up 15th Street to Meridian Park.

Mom got the Delaney sandwich with roastbeef but said it was a little light on the Gorgonzola and red peppers, and Dad ordered the Roosevelt, aka chicken parmesean, and loved it. It seemed like straightforward hearty sandwiches for two hungry adults at a slightly higher than normal price ($10.45 each). Admittedly, with a little moderation, you could have the other half for dinner.

I gnawed on some pieces of fresh crusty bread (probably the best part of Taylor's) that they each broke off and fed me. Like many Sunday's at Meridian, I was within ear shot of a guitar group gathering to practice Simon and Garfunkel songs, and otherwise had no trouble sitting still while Mom and Dad lunched.

I think they would repeat the picnic again but probably elect for Fast Gourmet sandwiches - a consistent parent favorite - although I usually need to eat something else since it is a bit greasy for babe. 

After the picnic we walked up the park for the Meridian Hill drum circle where I had fun jamming (on my mom's shoulders). Even though I wanted to eat more when we got home, the picnic and drum circle are fun solutions for a Sunday afternoon in the U Street, Adams Morgan or Columbia Heights neighborhoods.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.

National's Ballpark

My mama's eyes anally scan the menu last night at Nationals' ballpark. She really struggles to eat at a place like this. Which then again also seems to be the point of a place like this.

Nationals' ballpark is a great place for families, even babies. Children under 2 are not required to have a ticket to enter. To the right of the gate they have a well-choreographed Concierge Service who will check your stroller, backpack, breast pump, whatever you don't want to bring to the seats. Check out their site for more info.

Also if it is your first game, go to the office to the right of the stroller check where you will be presented with your very own First Baseball Game Certificate (Moms and Dads, I challenge you to find a baby book or some other way to save this gigantic piece of paper). Needless it is a special keepsake, and if you are older than me, an award you are at least cognizant of "winning"(?).

As for food, turns out with a little preparation everyone can food, drink and baseball. While the Little Rookies food stand to the left of the entrance offers slightly smaller portion sizes, the hot dogs, pizza, soda and popcorn were still out of my league, so Mom had packed me a bagel, blueberries and a Plum Organics. Food was used as both nutrition and an activity which kept me entertained for a good two innings. Dad in the meantime went with a Ben's Chili Bowl half smoke chili dog and beers for Mom and him.

Next time they at least owe me a hot dog.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.

Rasika: Fine dining for parents

Believe it or not, I dared even Rasika West End (1190 New Hampshire Avenue, NW/Foggy Bottom metro). I arrived in a stroller and left in a Moby, and the dining experience was unanimously pleasant for my mom and two friends.

There was a little panic when I awoke from my nap, but as an overall experience, certainly better than sitting at home watching Modern Family re-runs.

I was eight weeks old and had eaten a big meal prior to the walk there. When I did wake up in my stroller, Mom whisked me off to the spacious Ladies' (albeit sans changing table) to transfer me to the Moby where she wrapped me tightly and bounced me back to sleep.

In addition to being Mom's favorite DC restaurant, the up-scale Rasika is remarkably baby-friendly. Tables are spaced wide distances apart allowing for easy stroller maneuvering. There is quite a bit of background noise, making the random scream, moan or babble indistinguishable. The hosts and wait staff are unpretentious and amenable as well. When I arrived, they escorted us to a convenient, spacious table with ample space to park my stroller. A waiter even offered my mama a pillow. That would have made nursing even easier in their already-comfortable chairs.

Why mention if I didn't even nurse? Knowing I can nurse at any second definitely takes the edge off me and more so my mama. She never wants to be caught in a social situation where she can't give me exactly what I want the moment I want it. Otherwise it can spiral into ugly very quickly.

Back to Rasika. Another added bonus - as I scoped out the joint, not one dirty look from employees or fellow patrons. And I even saw two other kids. Good for their parents and their palate.

I'd actually be curious to return as a toddler to test out the high chair situation and explore the menu a little more in detail. I mean the naan, vegetable biryani and chickpeas would probably work, but what about the chutneys? Would my parents' favorite okra dish and scallop appetizer be too adventurous?

I guess I need to go back....

Café Saint-Ex

Café Saint-Ex stands out in the neighborhood simply because it has really, really, really nice people working there - especially the hostess who sits on the bar stool during warmer months to greet and accommodate people on the outdoor patio. She has never rolled an eye the three times I've been there - and neither have the servers - a tell tale sign of a classy and customer-centric establishment. Staff make sure we have a table with room for the stroller, often sitting us at a four-top when we obviously will only pay for two.

I did have a meltdown here once when Mom went for an afternoon drink with a friend. She still wasn't quite comfortable whipping out a boob to shut me up, but even then, staff attentively brought out the check and got Mom squared away swiftly and without judgement.

Needless, the aviation-inspired French café has some very loyal customers.